DIY: Hardwire Radar Detector

[Jurasic]

I just did this tonight. Local car audio shop wanted $160 and is booking for 3 weeks out from today so I figured why not.

this modification requires PN: MTX-1015 ($45?) from Blendmount which simplifies tapping into the stock rear view mirror accessory power. Whatever radar detector you have or mount you use should be fine as long as the power links up and the cable length reaches.

step 1: don’t be an idiot like me and do this at dusk 10 minutes before dark.

Step 2: remove the two plastic surrounds that cover all the cabling for the rear view mirror. This is easily done by carefully sliding a finger or two between the head liner and the center cover directly above the mirror. You know it is the correct cover when you see two lines on the left and the right and it has a round opening which allows it to sit flush over the rear mirror. This part has clips on the left and the right so carefully shimmy it out and it will eventually come off. No need to force it or you could snap a clip.

step 3: once the small cover is off, you can easily remove the large cover that wraps around the mirror. There are either 4 or five clips that hold the surround into place along the exterior of the assembly. This cover is very easily removed by pulling along the sides until it comes lose. Again no need to force anything. Just give it a love tap and it will come off.

Step 3: locate the accessory power on the passenger side of the mirror. You will see two red wires and one black wire. That is the connection clip to the mirror. On the under side of that clip is where you want to tap into. The red is your power and the black is your ground.

Step 4: using the supplied cable in the MTX-1015 bag, grab the two smallest power tap cables and connect them to your main power cable with the phone Jack looking power connector. Black on black red on red. The red slides into the port where you see the factory red wire coming out and the black slides into where you see the factory black wire coming out. This part is not easy. The sockets are extremely tight so try different sides of the square inlet until you are able to get the tap into the harness.

step 5: plug the cable you just used to tap into your factory rear view mirror power assembly and hit the start button on your truck. Your radar detector should turn on. Power off the vehicle and reinstall the covers / surrounds.

Step 6: you are done. Grab a beer.

here are some photos. Cheers to saving money for 10-30 minutes of your time and a bit of effort.

Just did this myself. Your instructions really helped me. Drinking my beer right now. Thanks!!

 

[Fifty]

This is awesome. I don’t know if I want to put a radar detector or a camera there…

 

[Termite]

Just did this today:

Anyone hard-wire their radar detector yet?

I hardwired my V1 using the Mirror Tap. the diagram above is correct. Pink is power and black is ground.

www.ram-trx.com

Took all of ten minutes with a generic mirror tap from Amazon. Agree that you have to fiddle a bit with the spade ends of the mirror tap but no issues once they seat into the harness plug. Used the white Scotch brand Velcro to attach the suction cup bracket [instead of the suction cups] directly to the windshield. Have done this for years and never had an issue with it coming down. Will return the blendmount that I bought. The Velcro puts the Uniden higher up on the windshield and more difficult to see from behind the truck.

 

[TyrantTRX]

This is awesome. I don’t know if I want to put a radar detector or a camera there…

I’m thinking about doing the Cobra that comes with the camera.

 

[OnTheReel]

I’m thinking about doing the Cobra that comes with the camera.

Might wanna check some reviews and re-think that. The Road Scout performs really poorly as a radar detector.

 

[TyrantTRX]

Might wanna check some reviews and re-think that. The Road Scout performs really poorly as a radar detector.

Thanks for the heads up. I will definitely check out reviews.
What radar detector does everyone recommend?

 

[Termite]

Thanks for the heads up. I will definitely check out reviews.
What radar detector does everyone recommend?

Uniden r3

 

[OnTheReel]

Thanks for the heads up. I will definitely check out reviews.
What radar detector does everyone recommend?

https://youtube.com/c/VortexRadar

^That’s the go to channel for reviews and general information.

Uniden R3 is a good budget detector. Otherwise the R7, V1 Gen2, Escort Redline 360c are among the best. I have the V1G2 and the range is incredible.

 

[Termite]

Have both the R3 and the R7 and in the NE, can’t notice much difference between the two in performance. Love them both in combination with Waze.

 

[Happypants]

Had an escort 360 previously, zero complaints. Trying a Valentine V1 gen 2 this time around mainly for the JBV1 app (and it's interaction with waze for trips)... appears pretty amazing in capability. Worst case if i hate the app or just wind up not using it i still have a very capable detector.

 

[FlameTRXboss22]

I wonder how the 60$ install at best buy works out for this mod?

 

[OnTheReel]

If you’re just tapping the mirror it takes like 10 minutes. Definitely not worth paying $60.

 

[NoHo Hank]

https://youtube.com/c/VortexRadar

^That’s the go to channel for reviews and general information.

Uniden R3 is a good budget detector. Otherwise the R7, V1 Gen2, Escort Redline 360c are among the best. I have the V1G2 and the range is incredible.

If you are not in a rush, hold out for Theia from Radenso. It will make all current gen RDs obsolete. Otherwise, the list above is spot on.

 

[juicebox]

For any V1G2 users, this OB-Grip custom mount is very slick and way less obstructive than a Blendmount. I mounted mine high up against the headliner, and ran the power cable along the headliner, down the A pillar, and fuse-tapped it into Fuse# 66. I’m working on a custom mount for the conceal display to go on top of my steering column, so hopefully I’ll have that done in a couple weeks. I ordered the mount from Shapeways(black PA12), and you have to tap the hole and buy a set screw. Links for ordering and directions here(Vortex is a contributor to this site and thread):

https://www.rdforum.org/threads/98970/

https://www.shapeways.com/product/37T8FN3UZ/valentine-1-g2-permanent-mount?optionId=160833912

 

[nickinfleet]

looks good. blendmount for me since I have my garmin rv785 navigation in that top corner.

 

[TyrantTRX]

Just got mine installed!! Appreciate all the tips!!

 

[nickinfleet]

Just got mine installed!! Appreciate all the tips!!View attachment 32815

Nice and clean

 

[bradphish]

Just got mine installed!! Appreciate all the tips!!View attachment 32815

Is this the Blendmount? How do you like it?

 

[nickinfleet]

Is this the Blendmount? How do you like it?

Yes. It’s great. If you take your truck off-road you will want to bring a screw driver for the blendmount. It will rattle loose after a couple of days in the dirt. That’s it

 

[NoHo Hank]

Yes. It’s great. If you take your truck off-road you will want to bring a screw driver for the blendmount. It will rattle loose after a couple of days in the dirt. That’s it

Throw some blue loctite on the bolts; it solved my issue and still allows for removal if needed.